Swimming device



Jan. 6, 1948.' R. CQ'BATES 2,434,032

SWIMMING DEVICE Filed April 3, 1945 ZSheetS-Sheet l Jan. 6, 1948. R. c. BA1-Es SWIMMING DEVICE I Filed April s, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 6, 1948 y UNITED ysTA'riezfs PATE-Nr ff-OFFICE SWIMMING DEVICE Ralpirzczrasi Yonkers; Y.

. fAppIicatonApril 3, 1945', 'SerailLNof-5863-343 vfllairns.

The present inventionrrelates to new and useful improvements in swimming devices, and has for its primary object to provide an improved supporting and propelling device for swimmers or bathers.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a swimming device of this character embodying means operable by the swimmer to propel himself through the water and also adapted to float on the water when the propelling mechanism is inactive.

More specifically, the invention comprises a swimming device on lwhich a person may lie in a prone position and by the manipulation of the hands may actuate a propelling mechanism by which the device will be driven over the surface of the water.

A further object of the invention is to provide a swimming device which is non-sinkable so as to be safe for use by persons who cannot swim and which may be used for teaching such persons the art of swimming by giving them condence while in the water.

Another obj ect 'of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this character of simple and practical construction, which is eiilcient and reliable in use, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise Well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation, as more fully hereinafter'described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan View.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on a line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates a frame generally constituting a cradle or body-supporting member and including longitudinally extending side members 6 connected by front and rear transverse members 'I and 8, the transverse members being curved in substantially semi-circular form and on which the body of a person may lie in a prone position.

The front transverse member 'I includes a forwardly projecting plate 9 to the under side of which a gear housing I0 is pivoted for horizontal swinging movement by means of a pin Il journaled in the plate 9 and provided with a ball bear- 2 Y I ing assembly I2 positioned between the top of housing I0 and the under side of the plate.

The housing I0 is of substantially elongated construction and is provided at its rear portion with a transversely extending shaft I3 projecting outwardly at opposite sides of the housing and provided at each end with crank handles I4..

A ring gear I5 is secured to the shaft within the housing for operating a pinion I6 on the rear end of a propeller shaft I'I journaled in a partition I8 in the housing, this shaft projecting forwardly through the front end of the housing and being provided at its front end with a propeller I9.

The propeller is enclosed within a reticulated guard 20 attached to the front end of the housing I0.

To the under side of the front transverse member 'I and plate 9 is secured a block of cork 2| constituting a iioat and similar blocks of cork 22 are secured to the side frame member 6 adjacent their rear ends and to the sides of the rear transverse member 8. The floats 22 are of substantially elongated form and project rearwardly beyond the frame 5.

In the operation of the device, the front and rear transverse members 1 and 8 support the body of a person in a prone position and the floats 2| and 22 will support the person on the surface of the water. By grasping the handles I4, the propeller I9 will be operated to draw the device through the water.

By turning the housing III on its pivot pin Il through the handles I4, the device may be steered in a desired direction.

Also, if desired, the propelling mechanism may remain idle and the floats 2l and 22 utilized to support the person on the surface of the water while learning to swim.

In View of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it is believed that a clear understanding of the construction, operation and advantages of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in the art. A more detailed description thereof is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described, and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. A swimming device comprising a frame including a pair of side frame members and front the . a prone position, floats carried by the frame for supporting the person on the surface of the water, a 'plate extending forwardly of the frame, an elongated gear housing pivoted beneath the plate for horizontal swinging movement, a propeller mounted at the front end of the housing, hand cranks carried by the housing, and gearing in the housing connected to said propeller and operable by said cranks, said housing constituting a rudder for steering the device.

2. A swimming device comprising a frame including a pair of side frame members and front and rear transverse members of semi-circular form adapted to support the body of a person in a prone position, floats carried by the frame for supporting the person on the surface of the water, a plate extending forwardly of the frame, an elongated gear housing pivoted beneath the plate for horizontal swinging movement, a propeller shaft journaled in the front end of the housing. a propeller secured to the shaft, a manually operated shaft journaled transversely in the housing, gears operatively connecting the shafts, and a recticulated guard enclosing the propeller.

RALPH C. BATES.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,304,919 Szafranski May 27, 1919 887,986 Ward May 19, 1908 44,696 Ressel Oct. 11, 1864 lA. I. 274 Cartwright Apr. 3, 1860 929,564 Crawford July 27, 1909 20 1,875,451 Harris Sept. 6, 19321 

